The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsBoccaccio, Giovanni
History
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels
Boccaccio, Giovanni
Allegories; Frame stories; Plague -- Europe -- History -- Fiction; Storytelling -- Fiction
Being thus over-swayed with her proud opinion, shee would no longer
be embraced, or regarded by him in any manner, saving onely because
she could not refuse him; but would find some other for her better
satisfaction, who might seeme more worthy of her respect, then the
Drapier her Husband did. Hereupon shee fell so deepe in love, with a
very honest man of our City also, and of indifferent yeeres; as what
day shee saw him not, shee could take no rest the night ensuing. The
man himselfe knew nothing hereof, and therefore was the more neglect
and carelesse, and she being curious, nice, yet wisely considerate;
durst not let him understand it, neither by any womans close conveyed
message, nor yet by Letters, as fearing the perils which happen in such
cases. But her eye observing his daily walkes and resorts, gave her
notice of his often conversing with a religious Friar, who albeit he
was a fat and corpulent man, yet notwithstanding, because he seemed to
leade a sanctimonious life, and was reported to be a most honest man;
she perswaded her selfe, that he might be the best meanes, betweene her
and her friend.
Having considered with her selfe, what course was best to be observed
in this case; upon a day, apt and convenient, shee went to the Convent,
where he kept, and having caused him to be called, shee told him, that
if his leysure so served, very gladly shee would be confessed, and
onely had made her choyce of him. The holy man seeing her, and reputing
her to be a Gentlewoman, as indeede shee was no lesse; willingly heard
her, and when shee had confessed what shee could, shee had yet another
matter to acquaint him withall, and thereupon thus she began.
Holy Father, it is no more then convenient, that I should have recourse
to you, to be assisted by your help and councell, in a matter which I
will impart unto you. I know, that you are not ignorant of my parents
and husband, of whom I am affected as dearely as his life, for proofe
whereof, there is not any thing that I can desire, but immediatly I
have it of him, he being a most rich man, and may very sufficiently
affoord it. In regard whereof, I love him equally as my selfe, and,
setting aside my best endeavours for him; I must tell you one thing,
if I should do anything contrary to his liking and honour, no woman
can more worthily deserve death, then my selfe. Understand then, good
Father, that there is a man, whose name I know not, but hee seemeth
to be honest, and of good worth; moreover (if I am not deceived) hee
resorteth oftentimes to you, being faire and comely of person, going
alwayes in blacke garments of good price and value. This man, imagining
(perhaps) no such minde in me, as truely there is; hath often attempted
mee, and never can I be at my doore, or window, but hee is alwayes
present in my sight, which is not a little displeasing to me; he
watcheth my walkes, and much I mervaile, that he is not now here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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